Black cherry aphid

Both winged and wingless adults are shiny dark brown to black . They have a round abdomen and globular appearance. The black cherry aphid is larger than other fruit attacking aphids and is the only black colored aphid that attacks cherry.

Damage

Large numbers of black cherry aphids will colonize young terminal growth. Infested leaves curl severely and normal terminal  growth is disrupted. In severe cases, injured leaves turn brown and die and the fruit is dwarfed. The aphids excrete large amounts of honeydew on leaves and fruit.

Sooty mold can grow on the honeydew, making the fruit unmarketable. Heavy populations can distort and stunt growth of young trees and may reduce fruit set the following year on older trees.